George Selden

George Selden (1929-1989) was an American children's author most celebrated for creating the Chester Cricket series, beginning with "The Cricket in Times Square" (1961). This debut novel earned both a Newbery Honor Medal and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, establishing Selden as a significant voice in children's literature. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, to a physician father, Selden received his education at the Loomis School before attending Yale University, where he cultivated his literary interests through involvement with the Elizabethan Club and university literary magazine. After graduating in 1951, he furthered his studies in Rome on a Fulbright Scholarship. The Cricket in Times Square spawned six sequels featuring Chester Cricket and his friends Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat, creating a beloved series that has remained in print for over half a century. Writing under both his own name and the pseudonym Terry Andrews, Selden maintained a literary career spanning nearly three decades. Throughout his career, Selden demonstrated particular skill in blending elements of fantasy with realistic urban settings, most notably in his depictions of New York City life through the eyes of his animal characters. His work continues to be recognized for its warm humor and sophisticated approach to children's literature.

Readers remember George Selden most for The Cricket in Times Square series and value his ability to blend fantasy with realistic New York City settings. Parents and teachers note that the books remain engaging for elementary school students despite being written in the 1960s. Readers liked: - Characters that feel genuine and relatable - Gentle humor throughout - Clear, straightforward writing style - Chester Cricket's personality and wisdom - Educational elements about music and city life Common criticisms: - Some ethnic stereotypes that reflect the era - Slower pacing compared to modern children's books - Limited appeal beyond the first book in the series Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: The Cricket in Times Square - 4.0/5 (41,000+ ratings) Amazon: The Cricket in Times Square - 4.7/5 (1,200+ reviews) Common Sense Media: 4/5 from parents, 4/5 from kids Several teachers mention using the books for read-alouds, noting strong student engagement and opportunities for discussion about friendship and perseverance.

The Cricket in Times Square - A cricket named Chester arrives in New York City's Times Square subway station, where he befriends a mouse and cat while delighting commuters with his musical talents.

Tucker's Countryside - Tucker Mouse leaves the city to help his friend Chester Cricket save a Connecticut meadow from being turned into an apartment complex.

Harry Kitten and Tucker Mouse - A prequel showing the first meeting between Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse as young animals struggling to survive in New York City.

Chester Cricket's Pigeon Ride - Chester Cricket takes an aerial tour of New York City with new friend Lulu Pigeon, discovering the city from above.

Chester Cricket's New Home - Chester Cricket must find a new home after his meadow becomes flooded, leading him to explore the Connecticut countryside.

The Old Meadow - Chester Cricket and his friends work to protect their meadow home from the effects of a nearby housing development.

The Genie of Sutton Place - A young boy in Manhattan discovers a genie who helps him deal with his aunt's strict rules while causing citywide chaos.

Cricket Songs - A collection of Japanese haiku translated and adapted with cricket themes throughout the seasons.

E.B. White Created animal protagonists in urban settings through works like Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web. His mix of fantasy elements with realistic city life mirrors Selden's approach.

Beverly Cleary Wrote stories featuring recurring characters in realistic settings during the same era as Selden. Her works share similar themes of friendship and everyday adventures with touches of humor.

Robert Lawson Combined animal characters with historical settings in books like Ben and Me and Rabbit Hill. His detailed illustrations and blend of fact with fantasy parallel Selden's storytelling style.

Walter R. Brooks Created the Freddy the Pig series featuring talking animals on a farm with interconnected storylines. His characters demonstrate similar personality development and social dynamics to Selden's Chester Cricket series.

Robert C. O'Brien Wrote Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH and other works featuring small creatures in complex situations. His stories balance fantasy elements with real-world settings in ways comparable to Selden's approach.